Almost three years ago, forward Bryan de la Fuente was signed by Chivas USA as the club’s fourth Homegrown Player in its history. After only one appearance with the First Team under then head coach Martin Vasquez, de la Fuente was released.

On Monday morning, de la Fuente returned to the StubHub Center’s Field 6 and put on a Chivas USA jersey for the Red-and-White’s Reserve League match against cross-hall rivals the LA Galaxy.

“I felt good. It’s always good to come back where I started my professional career. I feel happy to be back, not about the result, but I feel happy that they’ve [Chivas] given me another opportunity. I’ve been playing with the U23’s for a few weeks already, so when they called me to ask if I could come and help them, I was very happy about that,” de la Fuente told cdchivasusa.com after the Reserve League game.

Last Saturday, de la Fuente notched one goal for Chivas USA’s U23 Team as they finished the Regular Season undefeated. Come Monday, de la Fuente found the back of the net once again in the Red-and-White’s 4-1 loss to the LA Galaxy in the Reserve League. The goal was something that, aside from the loss, motivates him to continuing pursuing his return to the First Team.

“Wherever you are and you score, it’s a motivation, especially in the first opportunity they give you. It doesn’t matter if it’s with the first team or the reserves or U23’s, etc; it’s always good to show what you have. Today, I got to score the only goal so I feel happy about that,” de la Fuente added.

Since joining Chivas USA’s U23 Team in mid- June, de la Fuente has scored two goals (three in all competitions). Last Saturday, the young Red-and-White squad finished the Regular Season undefeated with a 7-0-1 record (W-L-T). Up next for the team is the Semifinal round set for Saturday, Aug. 3, in San Luis Obispo.

“We’re a really small group, but we have done a good job. I haven’t been with them since the beginning of the season, but I’m adjusting well, they’re a great team,” de la Fuente said about the U23 Team. “Our mentality right now is in the playoffs. We’re champions of the conference and now we’re going to face the other conference and hopefully we win that too.”